Storage receptacle

ABSTRACT

The invention describes a storage receptacle ( 1 ) for a cleaning device ( 4 ) that features a handle ( 6 ) and a cleaning head ( 5 ), particularly a toilet brush, wherein the storage receptacle ( 1 ) comprises at least a main chamber ( 3 ) for inserting and storing the cleaning device ( 4 ) as well as a closing and sealing arrangement that is coupled to the outer walls of the storage receptacle ( 1 ) in such a way that it can be pivoted from an open position into a closed position. According to the invention, the closing and sealing arrangement is formed by two shell elements ( 28   a,    28   b ) that can be pivoted relative to one another. The storage receptacle ( 1 ) of the invention is characterized by the simple handling of the cleaning device ( 4 ) during its insertion and removal as well as by its appealing visual appearance.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to a storage receptacle for a cleaning devicethat features a handle and a cleaning head, particularly for a toiletbrush.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A storage receptacle of the initially cited type is known from US2004/0159330 A1. This known storage receptacle comprises a main chamberfor inserting and storing a toilet brush. The storage receptacle can beclosed and sealed by means of a cover element that is laterally arrangedon the receptacle and can be pivoted from an open position into a closedposition. The cover element is pivoted from the closed position into theopen position in order to insert the toilet brush, wherein the toiletbrush is inserted in an oblique position through the lateral opening andsubsequently positioned vertically and fixed in the receptacle.

The disadvantage of this known cleaning receptacle is that thesurroundings as well as the inside and the outside of the receptaclewalls may become soiled by residual water or residual contaminants thatdrip off the brush head when inserting the toilet brash, which typicallyis still wet after being used, into the receptacle in an obliqueposition through the relatively narrow opening. Therefore, it is hardlyavoidable that the outer receptacle walls will come in contact with andthereby be soiled by the bristles of the toilet brash, particularly inthe upper region of the insertion opening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the objective of additionally developing astorage receptacle of the initially cited type in such a way that thecleaning device can be easily inserted into it while causing the leastcontamination possible, particularly from the outer receptacle walls andits surroundings.

A storage receptacle for a cleaning device that features a handle and acleaning head, particularly a toilet brush, comprises at least one mainchamber for inserting and storing the cleaning device as well as aclosing and sealing arrangement that is coupled to the outer walls ofthe storage receptacle in such a way that it can be pivoted from an openposition to a closed position. According to the invention, the closingand sealing arrangement is composed of two shell elements that can bepivoted relative to one another.

Due to this relatively simple constructive means, the insertion openingexposed by the opened shell elements is sufficiently large for easilyinserting the vertically positioned cleaning device from the top.Droplets that may drip off the cleaning device are collected and guidedinto the interior of the receptacle because the shell elements form atype of funnel with walls that upwardly widen in an essentially conicalfashion in their open position. The undesirable and visually unpleasantsoiling of the outer walls of the storage receptacle is therebyprevented.

The symmetric arrangement of the shell elements also makes it possibleto easily install an automatic closing mechanism, for example, in theform of a lever arrangement that automatically causes the shell elementsto pivot into the closed position when the cleaning device is insertedinto the storage receptacle.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the main chamber isrealized in the form of a separate receptacle element that can be placedon a second receptacle element from the top, wherein the secondreceptacle element features the two shell elements that can be pivotedrelative to one another and is realized similarly to a pedestal.

This embodiment provides the advantage that the emptying and cleaning ofthe storage receptacle can be realized in a simple and hygienic fashion.The storage receptacle can be emptied and cleaned by simply lifting thereceptacle element with the main chamber off the receptacle elementrealized in the form of a pedestal and separately cleaning thisreceptacle element. No other parts need be disassembled or removed.After the cleaning process is completed, both receptacle elements can beeasily reconnected to one another. Another advantage of the describedembodiment is that the receptacle element with the main chamber can berealized with a very simple geometric design, for example, similar tothat of a pot, and therefore easily cleaned. Since the size of thereceptacle element does not significantly exceed the size of the brushhead in order to achieve the highest concentration of cleaning fluidpossible in the main chamber with the least quantity added to it, it isalso possible to rinse out the receptacle element with cleaning fluid ina bathtub.

The two receptacle elements are advantageously connected to one anotherby means of a plug-type connection. This makes it possible very easilyto separate and reconnect the two elements with a minimal expenditure offorce.

The receptacle element realized in the form of a pedestal can also berealized much wider than the receptacle element with the main chamber inorder to ensure adequate stability of the entire storage receptaclewithout compromising the visual appearance or realizing the entirestorage receptacle with an excessively large volume.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, devices areprovided for acting upon the cleaning device with a cleaning fluid.These devices make it possible immediately to clean and disinfect thecleaning device thoroughly after each use. Unpleasant odors are notdeveloped, even after extended periods of disuse. The aforementioneddevices may be placed, for example, in a secondary chamber of thestorage receptacle that is connected to the main chamber by means of athrough-opening.

In one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the secondarychamber with the device for acting upon the cleaning device with acleaning fluid is located in the receptacle element realized in the formof a pedestal. Such an arrangement is characterized in a simple andcompact design. Another advantage can be seen in that, for example, areceptacle with cleaning fluid can be easily exchanged by lifting offthe receptacle element with the main chamber.

The devices for acting upon the cleaning device with a cleaning fluidpreferably comprise a spray bottle, a cartridge or a dispenser withcleaning fluid analogously to the prior art. The storage and purposefuladdition of cleaning fluid is particularly simple in these instances.

The spray bottle or the cartridge or the dispenser must be arranged inthe storage receptacle, for example, in a secondary chamber, such thatthe cleaning fluid is introduced into the main chamber accommodating thecleaning device to be cleaned via the common through-opening. Thegeometric arrangement is not subject to any other restrictions. Forexample, the secondary chamber may be arranged, centrally as well asnon-centrally relative to the main axis of the cleaning receptacle.However, it is preferred that the cleaning head of the cleaning elementis acted upon by cleaning fluid from the bottom analogously to the priorart in order to achieve the best cleaning results possible.

The addition of the cleaning fluid can be easily realized by actuatingthe opening mechanisms that are already provided on spray bottles,cartridges or dispensers, e.g., by depressing the head of the spraybottle or the cartridge or the dispenser.

The spray bottle, cartridge or dispenser can be easily actuatedmanually.

However, the storage receptacle of the invention is advantageouslyprovided with an actuating mechanism for automatically actuating thespray bottle, cartridge, dispenser or other device for acting upon thecleaning device with a cleaning fluid, wherein said actuating mechanismis triggered, for example, by inserting the cleaning device into thestorage receptacle. Such automated actuating mechanisms are generallyknown. They are typically realized in the form of projections, levers orthe like that are provided on the storage receptacle and actuate theopening mechanism, for example, of the spray bottle, the cartridge orthe dispenser when the cleaning device is inserted into the storagereceptacle, particularly by depressing the head of the spray bottle, thecartridge or the dispenser.

In addition, an automatic resetting mechanism is advantageously providedfor closing the spray bottle, cartridge, dispenser or other device foracting upon the cleaning device with a cleaning fluid after a briefdischarge of cleaning fluid. Such resetting mechanisms are alsogenerally known. For reasons of simplicity, spring elements thatcounteract the movement for triggering the actuating mechanism are usedfor this purpose.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, a time switch isprovided for actuating the opening mechanism. Due to these measures, thecleaning process can be carried out within regular, freely adjustabletime intervals, particularly after extended storage periods during whichthe cleaning device is not used. If the cleaning fluid used alsocontains aromatics, the non-hermetic seal of the cleaning receptaclealso leads to the pleasant side effect of regularly releasing afragrance into the surroundings.

In addition to the above-described device for acting upon the cleaningdevice with a cleaning fluid, it is also possible to provide otherdevices for cleaning the cleaning device, for example, lamps that emitfluorescent light in order to kill bacteria or the like.

The above-described storage receptacle is intended for use, inparticular, in sanitary applications. It is particularly preferred thatthe described storage receptacle be used to store and, if so required,clean toilets brushes.

However, the storage receptacle of the invention is generally suitablefor storing and, if so required, cleaning all types of cleaning devicesthat feature a handle and a cleaning head, for example, for storing andcleaning toothbrushes.

The storage receptacle of the invention can not only be used for storingand, if so required, cleaning brushes, but also is suitable, inprinciple, for cleaning devices in which the cleaning head is notrealized in the form of a brush, but rather a molded body consisting ofa foam or a nonwoven material or the like.

All conceivable cleaning agents used in the sanitary industry may beused as cleaning fluid.

When used in toilets, it is particularly preferred to utilize cleaningfluids that contain so-called “drying accelerators,” for example,liquids that form an azeotrope when they are mixed with water. Forexample, alcohols, such as, in particular, ethanol and isopropylalcohol, are particularly suitable for use as drying accelerators.

Furthermore, the cleaning fluids to be used in the context of theinvention may conventionally contain antibacterial/antimicrobialsubstances, particularly quarternary ammonium chlorides such as, e.g.,octyldecyldimethylammonium chloride, dioctyldimethylammonium chloride,didecyldimethylammonium chloride, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium saccharateas well as phenols, for example, o-phenylphenol,o-benzyl-p-chlorophenol, triclosane, silver and silver salts, hydrogenperoxide in free or bound form, hypochlorite, chlorine in free or boundform.

As mentioned above, aromatics may also be admixed to the cleaning fluid.

A particularly preferred cleaning medium contains: 0.1% alkyl[50% 0(14),40% 0(12), 10% 0(16)]dimethylbenzylammonium saccharate 79% ethanol 20.9%miscellaneous inert additives.

The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to theembodiment illustrated in the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section view of a preferred embodiment of thestorage receptacle of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a storage receptacle 1 with a first receptacle element 2that features a main chamber 3 with a cleaning device 4 comprising acleaning head 5 and a handle 6 situated therein. Although the inventionis not limited to such embodiments, the cleaning device 4 in theembodiment shown consists of a toilet brush with bristles 7. In thisFIGURE, the reference symbol 12 identifies a second receptacle element.A secondary chamber with a spray bottle 15 is arranged in the secondreceptacle element 12. Although the invention is not limited to suchembodiments, the storage receptacle 1 consists of two parts in theembodiment shown. This provides the advantage that the receptacleelement 2 with the main chamber 3 can be easily lifted off the secondreceptacle element 12 in order to be emptied and cleaned and reattachedafter the cleaning process.

In the embodiment shown, the secondary chamber 13 for the spray bottle15 is also formed by a centrally arranged retainer 22 in the receptacleelement 12 that has the form of a hollow cylinder. A radial widening 23for accommodating the receptacle element 2 is arranged above theretainer 22 in the form of a hollow cylinder. The through-opening 16 tothe main chamber 3 of the receptacle element 2 is arranged in the bottomof the receptacle element 2 directly above the head 17 of the spraybottle 15 such that the cleaning fluid is sprayed into the main chamber3 with the cleaning head 5 from the bottom when the opening mechanismfor the spray bottle 15 is actuated.

The hollow-cylindrical retainer 22 for the spray bottle 15 as well asthe radial widening 23 for inserting the receptacle element 2 arebordered by an actuating element 24 that can be inserted into acorresponding receptacle 26 in the receptacle element 12 and displacedvertically downward relative to it, against the force of a springelement 27 arranged on the bottom of the receptacle element 12. Thisarrangement makes it possible automatically to close the receptacle 2during the insertion of the cleaning device 4 as described below.

In the embodiment shown, two shell elements 28 a, 28 b that can bepivoted relative to one another are coupled to the upper circumferentialregion of the receptacle element 12 in order to close and seal thestorage receptacle. In the FIGURE, both shell elements are in an openposition. Lever elements 29 a, 29 b that are rigidly connected to theshell elements 28 a, 28 b are provided for automatically pivoting theshell elements into the closed position when the cleaning device 4 isinserted into the main chamber 3, wherein said lever elements arecoupled to the inner walls 30 of the receptacle element 12 in the regionof the radial widening as well as to the actuating element 24.

When pressure is exerted upon the receptacle element 2 from above, forexample, during the insertion of the cleaning device 4 into the mainchamber 3, it is moved downward and analogously exerts pressure upon theactuating element 24 that is also moved downward against the springforce of the spring element 27. This movement of the actuating elementcauses the lever elements 29 a and 29 b coupled to the actuating element24 to tilt downwards such that the shell elements 28 a, 28 b pivot inthe direction of their closed position. The spring force of the springelement 27 and the weight of cleaning device 4 are ideally adapted toone another in such a way that the insertion of the cleaning device 4only results in the closing of the receptacle element 2, and the openingmechanism of the spray bottle 15 is not actuated unless additionalpressure is exerted upon the handle 6 of the cleaning device. Thisprovides the advantage that the cleaning device 4 can be stored in aclosed receptacle element 2 without causing the opening mechanism of thespray bottle 15 to be actuated automatically.

In the embodiment shown, the spray bottle 15 protrudes into the retainerfor the receptacle element 2 in the region of the radial widening 23 tosuch an extent that the spray head is briefly depressed if additionalpressure is briefly exerted after the cleaning device 4 is inserted intothe main chamber 3 and the shell elements 28 a, 28 b are pivoted intothe closed position. This results in cleaning fluid being brieflysprayed upwards into the main chamber 3.

It is advantageous in the embodiment shown, as well as generally, toconstruct and arrange the two shell elements in such a way that theyautomatically pivot apart into their open position due to gravitationalforce when the cleaning device is removed and the lever elements are nolonger subjected to pressure.

1. A storage receptacle for a cleaning device having a handle and acleaning head, the storage receptacle comprising: a main chamber forinserting and storing the cleaning device and a closing and sealingarrangement that is coupled to an outer wall of the storage receptacleso as to be pivotable between an open position and a closed position,the closing and sealing arrangement including two shell elements thatare pivotable relative to one another.
 2. The storage receptacleaccording to claim 1, further including pivoting devices forautomatically pivoting the two shell elements into the closed positionwhen the cleaning device is inserted into the main chamber.
 3. Thestorage receptacle according to claim 2, wherein the automatic pivotingdevices comprise lever elements.
 4. The storage receptacle according toclaim 1, wherein the main chamber comprises a separate first receptacleelement that is arrangeable on top of a pedestal-like second receptacleelement that carries the two pivotable shell elements.
 5. The storagereceptacle according to claim 4, wherein the first and second receptacleelements are connectable to each other via a plug-type connection. 6.The storage receptacle according to claim 1, further including a devicefor directing cleaning fluid on the cleaning device.
 7. The storagereceptacle according to claim 6, wherein the device for directingcleaning fluid on the cleaning device is arranged in a secondary chamberthat is connected to the main chamber via a through-opening.
 8. Thestorage receptacle according to claim 7, wherein the secondary chamberwith the device for directing cleaning fluid upon the cleaning device islocated is in a pedestal-like second receptacle element.
 9. The storagereceptacle according to claim 8, wherein the device for directingcleaning fluid on the cleaning device comprises a spray container. 10.The storage receptacle according to claim 9, further including anactuating mechanism for actuating the spray container, wherein saidactuating mechanism is triggerable by inserting the cleaning device intothe storage receptacle.
 11. The storage receptacle according to claim10, further including a resetting mechanism for closing the spraycontainer after a brief discharge of cleaning fluid.
 12. The storagereceptacle according to claim 11, wherein the resetting mechanismincludes a spring.